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What is White Sage?

In this article, we take a look at white sage and how it can be used to purify or cleanse yourself, your living space and your surroundings with great benefits.

Salvia apiana or white sage is an evergreen perennial shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and Northwest Mexico. It is a common plant that requires dry soil, a little water, and full-blown sunlight. Native Americans have used white sage for centuries for different purposes. For example, white sage seeds have been used as the main ingredient for pinole, a Native American staple food, and for removing foreign objects out of the eyes. However, the most common use is arranging smudge sticks made of white sage to be used for purification purposes.

WHAT TO DO WITH A WHITE SAGE SMUDGE STICK?

For thousands of years, people have participated in ritual purifications of their homes. These rituals and ceremonies are vital parts of many cultures and, most commonly, aromatic or therapeutic herbs are used. As far as white sage goes, Native Americans have used it for this purpose for 2,000 years. The process of burning white sage is called smudging and its purpose is to better the flow of energies and transforming the current experience into a spiritual one.

WHEN TO USE WHITE SAGE?

Purification can be done for various reasons. Be it opening or closing a new chapter in your life, such as moving into a new living space, changing jobs, the birth of a child etcetera, or be it everyday routines such as meditations, yoga sessions, hosting guests, peace of mind if you're spiritually sensitive and so on. As you see, cleansing oneself or the places you live in can be done in the various situations, however you see fit. You can't overdo it with white sage so polish your energetic fields as much as you want.

HOW TO USE WHITE SAGE?

Using white sage for ceremonial cleansing is an easy process that can be done by anyone. First, you need to get hold of a white sage bundle or if you have dried sage make your own by bundling the dried leaves and tying them up. Second, find a fire-proof surface that you can use for burning the sage. For instance, an abalone shell - a traditional vessel used by native Americans that represents water – would be best.

After you have prepared your bundle and surface you should light the bundle until smoke appears. You can use a feather (such as a turkey feather) or simply move your bundle back and forth to manage the burning of your smudge stick. Blowing directly onto your stick is a no-no as it is considered an act of blowing your negativity into the mixture. You may need to re-light the bundle a couple of times during the process. Once you have a nice, steady smoke going you can proceed to cleanse yourself or a living space of your choosing.

CLEANSE THE ROOM

Have you decided that you want to cleanse a room? You should open all the doors and windows to get airflow. Once the white sage bundle is lit and you got a steady smoke, roam the room and allow the smoke to flow through it. Traditional practice requires a ceremonial chant or prayer of cleansing to be said, for example repeating the phrase "Air, fire, water, earth. Cleanse, dismiss, dispel". However, nowadays many simply ask for negative energy to leave the space and inviting good and positive energy in. The smoke will engulf all the negative energy in the room and it should leave the room with the smoke making way for the positive energy coming from the prayer. Bear in mind that your current state of mind can affect the outcome. After cleansing the room it is a good idea to smudge yourself and once the bundle goes out it is recommended, if circumstances permit, to bury the bundle remains in your garden for ritual’s completion.

CLEANSE THE SOUL

If you have opted to cleanse yourself, you should use your hand or feather to direct the smoke over your body, starting with your feet, up to your head and back again. During this sage shower, visualize the smoke taking away negative energy from your body and inner self while repeating your prayer of choice. This process will help in releasing conflict, anger, and illness and giving your soul room to breathe, untarnished by your daily struggle. As we mentioned before, it is recommended to bury the bundle remains once the ritual is completed.

Burning white sage for the purpose of cleansing isn't harmful in any way and may well better the quality of life.

You can order a white sage bundle at our site and have it shipped to your address or next time when you pass by a herbal apothecary or incense shop, buy some white sage and try a little cleansing of your own.

Written by: AnteEnjoying the warm climate of the Mediterranean, Ante is an organic grower with a keen interest in breeding. When not writing, he is working on developing a hybrid to call his own.